When Sam Briefer, 23, graduated from West Chester University of Pennsylvania last year, the job hunt began. At first it was slow going. He scored a few interviews, but was never called back.

Then in March, shortly after connecting with Specialisterne—a Danish company whose U.S. arm works to develop the talent of autistic people—professional services firm EY (formerly Ernst & Young) offered Briefer a full-time position on its accounting team.

It is now a great honour to collaborate with another like minded global organisation, SAP, that shares the same ethos and purpose around people with autism. This could not have happened without the vision of Thorkil Sonne, the founder of Specialisterne. Looking at the brilliant people we have since been able to hire, this is proving to be an untapped market that has enabled us to enhance our services lines and create greater value to our customers.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Dandelion Program

Trainee Test Analyst Job Opportunities

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is one of the world’s largest and most successful IT companies. We know that our people and values are the most important elements in this success. We invest in your personal growth and development in an environment where you will be supported.
HPE’s Dandelion Program is recruiting people from the Autism Spectrum to be trained and work in the area of software testing based in Canberra.
Successful applicants will perform work for the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Applications are requested to fill these trainee Test Analyst roles.
As a level one Test Analyst you will be part of the HPE Testing Capability and will be trained to perform simple, medium and up to complex software testing activities as assigned by the HPE Dandelion Test Manager.
These roles will suit people with an interest in working with computers, processes and tools to ensure that developed software is fit for purpose and meets the needs of end users both within the department and its clients.
Successful candidates will start by learning and performing key skills required to work in the Department of Immigration and Border Protection team. He/she will also undergo training over time to be able to perform other more complex software testing related tasks.The candidate:

Must have a diagnosis of ASD

Must be aged 18 years or over

Must have Australian Citizenship

Will have to satisfy the suitability requirements of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection and Baseline security checks

Must be able to attend the entire 4 week assessment phase, which is paid

Should live within an easy daily commutable distance of Belconnen, ACT

Holding a tertiary qualification in a technical or business area is desirable, but not a prerequisite. If there is some experience in skills such as software testing, business analysis, computer programming, data analysis, or similar IT oriented tasks, this would be highly regarded, but not a prerequisite. The person must have a strong interest in learning and performing IT related tasks.
This is a great opportunity to become a part of a forward-thinking team with a commitment to providing high quality and innovative services, apply today.
To find out more information about the method of applying and the recruitment process and timelines for this great opportunity, please click on the link below:

Check out Specialisterne’s new video about employment tips for adults on the autism spectrum, featuring Jeanette Purkis; author, autistic self advocate, public speaker, and Australian Public Service worker for almost 10 years.

She deals with extremely important issues such as sleep, mental health, anxiety and how to manage it, employment, and the Dandelion Program.

Untapped potential is a terrible waste—and it’s a sad reality for many people with autism. But thanks to Dandelion, a program for on-boarding autistic people into competitive jobs, the door to opportunity is opening.

Dandelion was established by Denmark’s Specialisterne, a pioneering employment enabler with a goal of providing one million jobs to people on the autism spectrum. In Australia, Hewlett Packard Enterprise is partnering with Specialisterne and the Australian Department of Human Services to bring this inventive program to life.

“A dandelion is seen as a weed if in an unwanted place,” says Specialisterne Founder Thorkil Sonne. “But if you take that plant to a wanted place you’ll see it as an herb and as one of the most valuable plants in nature. That’s what we’re doing. We’re putting people in places where they are welcomed and where they can excel.”

Dandelion is revolutionising employment diversity. “People on the autism spectrum often have excellent skills that lend themselves very naturally to jobs that require focus—including their attention to detail, and their ability to think differently and recognise patterns,” says Michael Fieldhouse, Director, Emerging Businesses and Federal Government, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Australia.

“But sadly, many encounter obstacles finding employment because they don’t do well in standard job interviews. In Australia, fully half of people with autism are unemployed, and those who do find work are often under-employed. These are brilliant people who have graduated with first class honors and master’s degrees in science and engineering. Now, through the Dandelion program, we’re building the ability to attract, hire and retain these high potential people in testing, analytics, IT operations and cyber security positions.”

To support the program, a new, multifaceted organization design has been created at HPE Australia that includes on-boarding, sustainment and job transition phases. It starts with a four-week assessment by Specialisterne Australia and HPE that tests candidates’ individual social skills, their comfort zone when working in teams, and their specialist skills. Candidates who are evaluated as high potential are offered employment subject to a standard probation period.

The program also supports the new employees with broader life-skills development, including courses on nutrition, how to navigate public transport, how to manage a personal budget and more.

Managers to whom the new hires will report, take part in a diversity training program developed by Specialisterne Australia and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, which provides insights into working with people with autism.

Ongoing focus groups are held with the trainees to monitor their progress and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. “The sense of pride our new hires have in their work and in learning a new set of job skills is making an enormous difference in these people’s lives. And these benefits also extend to their families,” says Nick Wilson, Managing Director HPE South Pacific. “Parents have told us they feel like they’ve won the lottery—there’s a huge sense of relief and joy as they see their children become happier, more confident and independent. They noted that their social skills have improved, and that they’re participating more fully in family life as well. After seeing their children struggle for their entire lives, they are overjoyed to see them blossom.”

And the business benefits are just as real. Since the program launched in 2015, 37 highly skilled people have been hired—24 are now full-time employees and the rest are in training. The goal is to hire at least 70 people by the end of 2016. Based on the program’s success, HPE is considering expansion to other countries.

“We’re pleased to come together with Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Specialist People Foundation to bring the successful Dandelion Program to Australia, and provide traineeships in ICT to some very talented people with autism,” said a representative of Australia’s Department of Human Services. “This program demonstrates how the public and private sectors can work collaboratively to enable people with autism to realize their full potential in the workforce and contribute effectively to the market economy.

“The trainees are performing roles in ICT while developing valuable work skills in a professional environment, and they are working with their departmental colleagues to deliver systems that support the millions of Australians who use our services every day.”

The Dandelion program is also part of a research program being undertaken with the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre at La Trobe University. “Charting the impact of employment on people on the autism spectrum within this unique program, as well as their families and coworkers, will be important in convincing other employers to offer similar opportunities to those with autism,” said Professor Cheryl Dissanayake, who is overseeing the research program.

“We’re very grateful to the Dandelion program for broadening our perspectives,” says Michael. “We’ve been thrilled to play a part in demonstrating the value for employers and giving these talented people the opportunities they deserve.”